How does the nature imagery of vines and branches illuminate how we abide in Jesus and bear the fruit of the Spirit?

How does Paul contrast the life of the flesh and life in the Spirit in the Galatians passage?

In the Luke passage, Jesus explains how a good tree is known by its good fruit, just as the good of a person’s heart is known by the good they bring about around them. Can you describe a time when bearing the fruit of the Spirit served as evidence of the Spirit’s work in your life?

Jesus and Paul highlight the importance of love in abiding in the true vine and bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Is your life in union with Christ guided by your love of God and others? If so, what has that looked like?

A Tree is Known by its FruitTake 10 minutes to prayerfully journal on your phone or in a notebook with these reflection prompts. The reflection will help you observe the fruit of the Spirit in your life and draw you into abiding in Jesus.

When is a time you felt very close to Jesus? Write briefly about what you appreciated about Him.

Examine this list of the fruits of the Spirit and their opposites in the flesh. How do you see these fruits most evident in your current life? How do you see them least evident?

What words of grace might Jesus have for you about producing fruit in you as you abide in Him? Listen and write down what is impressed upon you.

Split into groups of 2-3 people, discuss, and pray:

What did you learn about abiding in Jesus and bearing His good fruit in this reflection and prayer time?

How was your practice of prayer in this last week? What are you learning from it?

How would you like the people in this group to pray for you?

At next week’s group, we will have a chance to share about our time meditating, praying, and abiding in Jesus. So consider keeping notes or a journal to share.

Closing PrayerOur city is named after St. Francis of Assisi, and it’s our hope as a church to live into our spiritual heritage sovereignly laid out by God. Close with the prayer of St. Francis:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peaceWhere there is hatred, let me sow loveWhere there is injury, pardonWhere there is doubt, faithWhere there is despair, hopeWhere there is darkness, lightAnd where there is sadness, joy

O Divine Master, grant that I maynot so much seek to be consoled as to consoleto be understood as to understandTo be loved as to loveFor it is in giving that we receiveit is in pardoning that we are pardonedAnd it’s in dying that we are born to eternal lifeAmen.